Necktie-stretcher.



B F. KELLER.

NECKTIE STRETCHER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, I915.

1,182,769. Patented May 9,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

THE COLUMBIA FLWOORAPH 50., WASHINGTDN. n. 6,,

.B. F. KELLER.

NECKTIE STRETCHER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5,1'9I5.

Patented May 9, 1916. 2 SHEETS-SHEET? m\&( WWW I n I II I I I I |l H WM 1! :5 II I I I I I ANOGRAPH ccI., WASHINGTON, I)v c.

BENJAMIN F. KELLER, 0F CAMDEN, OHIO.

NECKTIE-STRETCHEB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9, 1916.

Application filed June 5, 1915. Serial No. 32,381.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. KELLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Camden, in the county of Preble and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Uecktie-Stretchers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to necktie stretchers, and one of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a device of comparatively simple construction which will stretch various kinds of scarfs and neckties, and which can either be supported upon a table, in a show. window, or can be sus ended from a Wall or other support.

nother object of the invention is to provide a stretcher for ties of various styles and forms which will hold all the ties connected thereto in stretched condition by means of springs mounted within the frame and means being provided for clamping the ties in place on one of the two eXpansible frame members.

The foregoing and other objects may be attained by means of the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a necktie stretcher made in accordance with this invention, and shown in expanded condition, Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same showing the same in contracted position, Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the stretcher in expanded condition, Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the stretcher in contracted condition, Fig. 5 is a detail view of the clamping bars in position to clamp the ends of the ties, and Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the clamping bars thrown out of contact with the casing in position to receive the ends of the ties or scarfs.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates generally a casing comprising a front member 2, a back member 3, side or edge members 4:, and a bottom member 5. The casing is or may be made of metal, wood, or any suitable material, and mounted to slide in the casing 1 is a frame comprising the vertical members 6, having a cross bar 7 at their inner ends. A cross bar 8 on the frame 1 at the upper edge is provided With stop members 9, which are adapted to come in contact with the cross bars 7 when the frame is pushed inwardly as far as it is intended to go. Spiral springs 10 are connected at one of their ends to the cross bar 8, while their opposite ends are connected to the cross bar 7 said springs exerting their tension to draw said bars together andto thus increase the distance between the supporting rod 11 and the bottom bar 5 of the stretcher. The supporting rod 11 is connected to the vertical members 6, and pivoted at the outer end of the rod 11 is a U- shaped supporting stop member 12, said member adapted to engage the bottom member 5 when it is desired to hold the stretcher in contracted condition for placing the ties therein, and said member adapted to be swung upon the pivotal points 13 to support the stretcher in inclined or vertical position in a show window or other position to display the neckwear.

Clamping bars 14:, one upon each side of the stretcher near the bottom thereof, are covered with felt or fabric 15 to give a better frictional contact with the neckwear, said clamping bars each being pivotally connected to a pair of links 16 at opposite sides of the stretcher, said links being pivotally connected together at their lower ends at 17, said pivot being connected to the bottom bar 5 of the frame. Spiral springs 18 are connected at their ends to pins 19 on the ends of the presser bars 14. Latches 20 are pivoted upon opposite sides of the stretcher on one of the pins 19 and said latches are adapted to engage the other pin 19 for holding the presser bars away from the members 2 and 3 of the stretcher frame when it is desired to place ties therein. loop or staple 21 is connected to the bar 8 near one side of the stretcher.

The manner of using the device may be briefly described as follows: The latches 20 are swung in horizontal position as shown in Fig. 6 to hold the presser bars 14 away from the surfaces of the sides 2 and 3 and in this condition the ties are passed around the supporting rod 11 and the ends are pulled underneath the presser bars. Previous to this operation, however, the member 12 is passed underneath the bottom bar 5 of the frame to hold the springs 10 in contracted condition. A bow tie a may be connected to the staple 21, and passed around the supporting rod 11, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings. A made-up fourin-hand scarf 6 is connected to a sheet metal supporting device 0 connected to a suspending wire (Z having a hook engaging the supporting rod 11, while a four-in-hand scarf f is passed around and over the rod 11 and the ends brought down under the clamps or presser bars 1%. In this condition the latches are released to permit the presser bars to engage the lower ends of the scarfs, and then the member 12 is thrown out of engagement with the bottom bar 5 to permit the springs to expand the frame and stretch the tics. Then it is desired to remove one or more of the ties from the stretcher, the supporting member 12 is thrown back underneath the bar 5 and a tie is removed and the member 12 is again swung out of the way to permit the springs to expand the frame.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that a device made in accordance with this invention can be made of sufficient size to provide a display rack for stretcher for ties to be used in show windows, or the device may be of sufficient size for individual use.

Various changes may be made in the de tails of construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is J v 1. In a necktie stretcher, the combination of a casing, a frame mounted to slide in the casing, springs connected to the frame and casing, presser bars mounted at opposite sides of the casing, springs for drawing the presser bars together, a supporting rod at one end of the frame, and means for supporting the stretcher in upright condition.

2. In a necktie stretcher, the combination of a casing, a frame mounted to slide in the casing, springs for forcing the frame out of the casing, a supporting rod on the frame, a staple connected to the casing for supporting a bow tie, a Wire support having a clamping device to engage a made-up tie or scarf, presser bars mounted at the opposite sides of the casing and means for holding the presser bars out of contact with the casing for placing the ties in the stretcher.

8. In a necktie stretcher, the combination of av casing, a frame mounted to slide in the casing, springs in the casing for forcing the frame out thereof, a supporting rod on the frame, a staple connected to the casing for supporting a bow tie, a wire support having a clamping device to engage a made-up tie or scarf, presser bars mounted at opposite sides of the casing adapted to hold the ends of the scarf, means for holding the presser bars out of contact with the casing and a pivoted supporting member adapted to be swung underneath the casing and adapted to support the device 'when in standing position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN F. KELLER.

iVitnesses MARGARET E. KELL R, MABEL M. KELLER,

Copies of this patent may be obtained .for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner'ot'LEatema, Washington, I). G. 

